Library of Congress Summer Teacher Institute Application Now Available

The five-day institute provides educators with tools and resources to effectively integrate primary sources into the K-12 classroom.

Apply to participate in a Summer Teacher Institute at the Library of Congress if you want to:

  • Know how to access primary sources from the Library of Congress.
  • Become skilled at analyzing primary sources of different formats.
  • Learn various teaching strategies for using primary sources in the classroom.
  • Be able to successfully facilitate a primary source-based activity with students.
  • Gain knowledge of how to use primary sources to enable students to be engaged, think critically and construct knowledge.
  • Develop a Primary Source Activity Plan to implement in your instructional setting.
  • Interact with teachers from around the country and exchange ideas.
  • Meet the Teaching with Primary Sources blog team.

Teachers and school librarians of all grade levels and curriculum areas are encouraged to apply.

Tuition and materials are provided at no cost to participants. Breakfast and lunch are also provided. However, participants are responsible for transportation to and from the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. and any required overnight accommodations. Interested participants have the option of completing additional requirements (and paying a fee) to earn three graduate credits from George Mason University.

Interested? Check your calendar–Institute dates are listed below.

  • June 10-14
  • June 17-21
  • July 22-26
  • July 29-August 2
  • August 5-9

The deadline to submit an application is February 4, 2013. Additional information and the application form can be found here!

16 Comments

  1. Joan Enders
    December 11, 2012 at 10:47 pm

    Will there be any sessions in the Pacific NW next summer?

  2. Danna Bell-Russel
    December 12, 2012 at 8:43 am

    You can contact our Teaching with Primary Sources partners in the western part of the United States to learn about the workshops and other professional development programming they offer and if they will be offering anything in the Pacific Northwest. A list of our partners is provided at http://www.loc.gov/teachers/tps/consortium/.

  3. Jill Meyer
    December 13, 2012 at 7:22 am

    I’m with Arlington Public Schools. Any recertification points awarded with this course?

  4. Danna Bell-Russel
    December 13, 2012 at 9:09 am

    You will be provided with a certificate of completion indicating the number of instructional hours. Many people will take this to their school districts to show proof of professional development and receive credit toward re-certification. You will need to check with your school district to see if you can receive points for participating in the summer teacher institute.

  5. Traci Williams
    December 13, 2012 at 9:55 am

    I went several years ago & was wondering how long you have to wait to apply to go again.
    The LOC summer institute is the BEST professional developement I have ever been to.

  6. Danna Bell-Russel
    December 13, 2012 at 9:59 am

    Thanks Tracy. We are thrilled you enjoyed the institute. If you have participated in the institute in 2010, 2011 or 2012 you cannot apply.

  7. Andrew Basoco
    December 14, 2012 at 9:10 am

    Does the Library of Congress have good primary sources for a high school world history course?

  8. Therese Shiffler
    December 17, 2012 at 9:11 am

    I am a Speech Language Pathologist working in a K-5 public school. One of my roles is to help diversify lessons for students with language impairments. Would the institute be applicable for my area?

  9. Danna Bell-Russel
    December 17, 2012 at 9:38 am

    Absolutely. It would be very interesting to see how you might incorporate primary sources into your lessons with your students.

  10. Danna Bell-Russel
    December 17, 2012 at 9:49 am

    Hi,

    You may wish to look at the World Digital Library which includes primary sources from repositories around the world. We’ve highlighted world history sources in several blog posts including Teaching the World and a post specifically on the World Digital Library. You may also wish to explore Chronicling America where there are materials on events around the world and our online exhibitions. Hope this gets you started and if you have more specific questions use our Ask A Librarian Service to contact our reference staff. Good luck.

  11. Isaac R. Patterson
    December 18, 2012 at 8:51 am

    How much is the fee to get credits through George Mason University and are they transferrable?

  12. Danna Bell-Russel
    December 18, 2012 at 10:07 am

    Additional information can be found on the George Mason University website. Do note that the fees listed ($800 for Virginia residents and $875 for non-residents) reflect the fees for the 2012 summer teacher institute.

  13. Sarah Miles
    December 18, 2012 at 12:10 pm

    I am perusing my degree in education, and I am also currently working as a long term substitute in a special education school in Maryland, am I eligible for this program?

  14. Danna Bell-Russel
    December 18, 2012 at 12:12 pm

    You are certainly welcome to apply for the institute. Good luck with your application.

  15. Elham
    December 26, 2012 at 7:12 pm

    Hi! Merry Christmas and Happy holidays!
    I am an ESL teacher in a international school in DC and a part-time grad student.
    Can I participate in this course? Actually, I had taught K-12 in Iran for years.

  16. Danna Bell-Russel
    December 27, 2012 at 8:49 am

    We have had a number of ESL teachers participate in the institute. I hope you will apply. Happy holidays.

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